Core Insights - The article discusses unconventional ways to maximize credit card rewards, suggesting that creative spending can lead to significant benefits. Group 1: Creative Credit Card Usage - Purchasing gift cards at grocery stores can yield bonus rewards if the card offers high rewards for grocery purchases [2] - Large purchases can be optimized by using cards with welcome bonuses and 0% APR promotions, enhancing overall value [3][4] - Using credit cards for charitable donations can also earn rewards, provided the organization accepts card payments [10][11] Group 2: Financial Strategies - Retention offers from credit card issuers can incentivize customers to keep their accounts open, often involving waived fees or bonus offers [13][14] - Paying rent with a credit card can generate rewards, especially if no convenience fee is charged [16][17] - Using credit cards for tax payments can be beneficial if the rewards rate exceeds the processing fee [18][19] Group 3: Investment Opportunities - Credit cards can be used to purchase gift cards for stocks through services like Stockpile, allowing for investment in individual stocks or ETFs [21][22] - The article emphasizes the importance of managing credit card debt and suggests using 0% APR cards for larger purchases to avoid interest [24]

Core Insights - Rent payments can be made using credit cards, but there are various options and potential fees involved [2][3][17] Payment Options - Direct payments to landlords or property managers may be possible if they use a payment system that accepts credit cards, but convenience fees typically range from 2% to 3% [3] - The Bilt Mastercard® is highlighted as the only credit card that allows rent payments without fees, offering 1 point per dollar on rent payments up to $100,000 annually [5][6] - Cash advances from credit cards can be used for rent payments, but they come with higher interest rates and upfront fees, making them less favorable [7][8] - Balance transfer checks from certain credit cards can be utilized for rent payments, often with low or 0% APR, but may incur balance transfer fees [9][10] - Third-party services like PayPal and Venmo allow credit card payments for rent, but they typically charge transaction fees around 3% [11] Credit Reporting - Historically, rent payments have not been included in credit reports, but some services are emerging to allow renters to report their payments to credit bureaus [12][13] - A 2022 survey indicated that only 27% of property managers aware of the option to report rent payments actually do so [14] - Services like Self Financial and Experian Boost can help renters report their payments to credit bureaus, with Self Financial offering to report rent payments at no cost [15][16] Conclusion - Utilizing a credit card for rent payments can be beneficial if fee-free options are available, with the Bilt Mastercard being a notable choice [17]